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I am seeing a hospital social worker this week, and I will ask what she thinks. But Ii wonder if there is a government agency I can call. I spoke to Medicare and the rep gave me information, but Medicare is not Medicaid.
There should be a local area Council on Aging or some equivalent organization in your location that can give you information and perhaps walk you through the process. I'd try an internet search, ( try "council on aging", "elderly services", or something similar.).
You do make too much but you can shield the money using a disability trust. Look into it since the Medicaid social worker isn't going to tell you about it but they will tell you if you mention it.
It's a lifesaver.
A disability trust is for beneficiaries that are deemed disabled.
Usually you have to spend down your savings, sell off assets, then the facility charges what they charge and uses part or all of Medicare benefit you get monthly and what ever other income you receive then medicaid kicks in when you short paying for the monthly facility fees. You will get a monthly stipend for personal expenses. There is protection for the spouse that is not in a facility yet, it's complicated and best to consult a elder attorney.
A friend of my moms husband is in a nursing home and the elder attorney had her take everything out of husbands name, deed of home, summer camper/association they own a part in, car, bank accounts, everything, so he would qualify for medicaid aid, or something.. But it can be complicated and some people, maybe not with spouse, but their children can get in big trouble with transferring assets out of a persons control who then qualifies for medicaid. They call it a "look back" and go back 7 years or so regarding asset transfers. People get sued by the government to get back money and assets if they end up on medicaid and assets disappeared.
It seems so unfair, but yes, just transferring everything into someone else's name will not help a bit unless, like you say it is done 7 years prior to the need for long term care. I know a lot of people have long term care insurance, but it only covers a small part of the actually cost involved.
You do make too much but you can shield the money using a disability trust. Look into it since the Medicaid social worker isn't going to tell you about it but they will tell you if you mention it.
It's a lifesaver.
Thank you, I certainly will do that. I spoke to an elder law attorney today and she told me that I should have been preparing five years ago, but I am not clever that way since I was going through so much anyway five years ago. (Oh well.) She also said it is not an emergency right now, and I haven't even started filing for Medicaid. But I should see her anyway. The best I understand right now is that if my husband needs assisted living or something like that, they will leave me with spousal income. I will look up about disability trust and mention it to her when I see her.
I'd estimate that at least 70% of the info provided in this thread is incorrect. If you want a little more information that might help you prepare for your meeting with the attorney, try posting on the Caregivers Forum. There are a few regulars on that forum that are familiar with the Medicaid eligibility rules as well as the Aid and Attendance benefit.
A disability trust is for beneficiaries that are deemed disabled.
Not exactly true, if you're over retirement age and a dr declares you disabled for health/competency reasons, ssa will give you a disability determination that isn't for benefits but a trust can still be established.
The 95 year old lady I cared for got one. I've advised several people about them and they've been set up.
Lenora's post is correct. (Old medical social worker here). None of what is stated is correct. And Aid and Attendance is not that easy to get and there are asset limits for that too. Get advice from someone in the profession.
A disability trust is for beneficiaries that are deemed disabled.
I look it up and realized it was way beyond me. Unless I declare myself disabled, which I might be able to do, but I think the criteria is more than being a nervous wreck and having a bad leg.
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